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Senators pitch independent redistricting commission; professor urges commission to use traditional criteria
Summary
Senator Brian King presented SJR 2 to create a nine‑member independent commission to draw legislative and congressional districts using nonpartisan factors; law professor Josh Silverstein testified in favor, citing gerrymandering's effects on competitiveness and gridlock.
State Senator Brian King (District 28) presented Senate Joint Resolution 2 to establish a nine‑member independent districting commission to redraw state House, state Senate and U.S. House districts. King said the commission would be appointed by the board of apportionment and required to follow a limited list of nonpolitical factors such as population equality, contiguity, compactness, respect for city and county borders, and compliance with federal voting‑rights law.
King emphasized that the commission’s mandate would bar consideration of political affiliation, election results, incumbents’ residences and "communities of interest" as defined in the draft language, with the intent of preventing partisan influence over line‑drawing.
Josh Silverstein, speaking in his individual capacity, told the committee that gerrymandering has contributed to uncompetitive districts, political polarization, and reduced incentives to compromise. He summarized the harms: “The purpose of elections is for the voters to select their representatives, but gerrymandering constitutes the representatives selecting their voters.” Silverstein and King both pointed to other states and democratic countries that use independent commissions as working models.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the commission’s composition and the criteria to be used. No formal vote was taken at the hearing; sponsors said they would continue stakeholder outreach and refine language before further committee consideration.
